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Author: Abigail Dee
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Fear bit into my skin.

My blood boiled when I turned to look at him.

Sebastian wasn't looking at me. He remained focused on the man behind me, who I didn't think had gotten an invitation from him.

This version of Sebastian is a hard-line and intimidating presence that burns if someone steps too close. I couldn't help but realize that the hands he used to defend me with heat were also hands that might have hurt others.

I passed him and headed out, but something made my feet stop at the corner, the tension thick enough to suffocate. I leaned against the wall next to the door, peeking out.

"You have five seconds to explain how you got in here."

Kennan's laughter sounded low. "Straight to business, then?" His tone turned tense. "Very well. I turned on the front camera and used a nice credit card maneuver."

"There are two chain locks on that door."

"What can I say? Maybe you should have used three."

Silence fills my ears, and I can tell Sebastian isn't amused. "If you want to leave here w
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  • A Touch of Madness   24

    He took me to a view of grass surrounded by tall trees, there was a wide lake in the middle of the meadow and then a log cabin on its banks with a simple wooden bridge. The sunset was visible through the horizon, and everything was so beautiful.It took us two hours to fly from his company and head here, undoubtedly after he had satisfied his desire.He offered his hand to me to help me get off the helicopter, I didn't take it, and got off anyway with the support of myself. He looked away with a reproachful smile at me, I ignored him and stared at the pilot, who gave Sebastian the two-finger sign on his head, and then he took the helicopter away.I frowned as it hovered again. "How are we going to get home?" I asked him."Yeah, I was wondering about that too," he mumbled.I looked at him, frowning as I pushed my windblown hair out of my face. "Are you serious?" I asked sarcastically.He smirked. "My pilot, Shane, has some things to care for, and it will take until tomorrow. So we're g

  • A Touch of Madness   25

    Disappointment carries a heavy weight. I could feel it in Sebastian's gaze and how distant he felt when he spoke. So, our night and our morning were not filled with talk. There was no hurling of jibes and arguments, and the atmosphere descended into coldness.Well, I didn't want to do anything about it. I didn't want to think of a solution to his change in attitude or try. I don't. This kind of person is better for my mental health. That might make my feelings a little upset, but I ignored the urgency of my feelings and went back to the usual practice of relying on my logic for everything so that I wouldn't find myself again trapped in the same maze that would make me end up in pain because of him.That's good. That makes sense. And it was a necessary thing. He wasn't going to screw me over. So, I was still going to serve him like bitches always do: shut up and take it all. After all, I was really fed up with his fickle and unpredictable behavior. But I wasn't going to let that ruin m

  • A Touch of Madness   26

    My head jerks towards the sound. Sebastian and Sierra's mom walked into the kitchen, seemingly refreshed. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming home?" her mother asked as she came over and hugged Sierra. "I came home suddenly after I heard Isabella was coming home." Sierra said after they broke the hug. I frowned at the words 'Isabella came home' because I didn't come home, I was just visiting in this house and that was because of the attachment imposed by Sebastian. It was strange when she said that I came home like I was still Sebastian's wife. "You came home because Isabella came back, but didn't do it when I asked you to come home? Don't know why I'm so jealous here." She said with a pretend frown. Sierra rolled her eyes. "That's because I didn't see Isabella for five years, Mom. While you asked me back just to force me to date the man of your choice." Sierra rolled her eyes and sat back on the counter stool. Abella Sanchez chuckled. "That's a good reason." "I'm not going

  • A Touch of Madness   27

    Sebastian granted my request, and we returned home the next day at noon, of course, with my body entire of pain in my bones.I couldn't fight anything to give him whatever he wanted. After all, it was my obligation to our agreement, so I planned to keep my mouth shut until the 10-hour flight and focus on Ace, who was shaking from his fear of planes. Even Ace was fussing in Sebastian's arms and screaming. He calmed down a bit when Sebastian talked him into a train ride when we got home. Luckily, Sebastian was creative when it came to making excuses, so I didn't have to go to the trouble I usually did.I cuddled Ace on the bed in the room inside Sebastian's private plane while the small window in front of us revealed the beautiful afternoon clouds. It didn't occupy my mind like usual because Ace was now still holding me so tightly, keeping his head on my stomach and occasionally squeezing my shirt that he was holding. Sebastian was still talking to his secretary about work, and hopefull

  • A Touch of Madness   28

    I was about to pick Ace up from school, but Sebastian had already appeared in front of my office with Ace. He was holding him as he walked in. I frowned at the two of them as I stepped towards them."What is this? How can Ace be home twenty minutes early?""I have a quiz, Mommy. Whoever wins gets to go home first, and I made it on the first try."I sighed. "Oh my God. So you have to wait, baby?" I asked, stroking his face.He shook his head. "I didn't wait that long. Daddy picked me up ten minutes later."I looked at Sebastian with raised eyebrows."The guard I had to follow him told me."My eyes looked at him even more in surprise. "You did that? Put up a guard for him?""Yes, Isa. I did." Sebastian replied as he walked past me and carried Ace in his arms to sit on the sofa in my room. "There are a lot of people who want to cut my head off. You think I'm going to let my son go unprotected?"I rubbed my head."Cut off the head? What's that?" Ace's question made me look at him."Nothin

  • A Touch of Madness   29

    I try to erase the traces of Sebastian's lips from my lips, but like a burn on the skin, it is very hard to remove.I stood under the shower, enjoying the water that splashed my body. There was nothing else I could do to get calm and refresh my mind. Only a shower did that, but unfortunately, it couldn't remove the hot traces of Sebastian's lips on my lips.That madman is indeed very unpredictable and can always get others into endless confusion. Wasn't Reina called him? aka Reina, his fiancée? So, why did he have to kiss me earlier? What exactly is he trying to do to me? Why is he giving me mixed signals? Is this some kind of game for him?I rubbed my face roughly. There was no point in thinking about all that. Whatever happened, whatever he's trying to do to me... I can't bring him into my feelings. I don't want to go back to where I was five years ago. I don't want to return to being a stupid woman with stupid expectations. Only Ace is my world and my hope now. Not Sebastian. He's

  • A Touch of Madness   30

    "Study well, Ace. Daddy will pick you up later." Sebastian said to Ace when we were in front of his school.I was beside him, kissing Ace gently on the cheek before standing up and running a hand through his hair. He looked up at his father. "Really? Are we going to the playground?" I shook my head. "No, you're not. You've been playing too much." Ace's face immediately pouted while Sebastian laughed amusedly. "Daddy's taking you somewhere." "Where?" Sebastian squatted in front of Ace and whispered in his ear. I frowned at both of them and shook my head. Ace nodded quickly and put his index finger before his lips while Sebastian laughed. "Where are you guys going?" I asked them. "Confidential." I snorted and asked again, "Mommy not invited?" "No, Mommy can't come." Ace shook his head, then kissed the cheek of his father, who was still squatting in front of him. He waved goodbye to both of us before going inside. "I'm going to school first. Bye-bye Daddy Mommy." He said cheerfu

  • A Touch of Madness   31

    I brooded in my office for as long as possible, with everything surrounding my head like flies surrounding rotten meat. I contemplated everything. About a lot of things. About the future, how I'd be when this damn deal stopped, about what would happen if I followed Killian, Ace's future, and how I'd end up in old age. That uneasiness and insecurity always haunted me, and I always dragged on in that fear—the same dark lake that could drown me and bring me to its faint end. Later, I tried to occupy myself with organizing and planning what I would do. There are new breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu recipes, new coffee variant recipes, and some new snacks. My family is Italian, and we have a fondness for cooking our own specialities or legends, so I wrote down some simple menus on my laptop and then searched the internet for foodstuffs to keep myself busy. It almost worked before the arrival of Owen and Belle, which ignited my emotions. I looked at Belle, who was looking at me like she

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  • A Touch of Madness   Epilog

    Five years later.The sound of joyful laughter fills our warm living room. I rubbed my forehead, holding back a smile as I watched our twins, Athena and Azriel, run around yelling at each other. Both were still wearing the superhero costumes they got from Janet's birthday party, complete with fluttering red capes as they ran around the living room."Nana! Azzy! That's enough!" I called out, trying to be a bit chatty even though it was hard to hold back my laughter at their behaviour. "Stop chasing each other around the house. If you want to play superhero, do it in the garden!"Athena paused for a moment, looking at me with wide eyes full of innocence. But instead of obeying, the girl shook her head quickly, grinning as she turned to chase after her twin, who ran away. "I don't want to go outside! It's fun here!" she said, her cheerful laughter filling the room."Yes, but I will lose my sanity if you two keep shouting like this!" I tried to put on a angry face, but Azriel just jumped

  • A Touch of Madness   113 : War is Over

    Sleepiness strikes hard because I haven't slept in two days. It’s crawls over my eyes, making them feel heavy, yet every time I close my eyes, flashes of horror always appear, stopping me from falling into a comfortable sleep. The clock on the wall ticked softly, breaking the silence of the night that felt too quiet. But suddenly, a rumbling sound came from outside. The sound of slamming doors and hurried footsteps. It gets closer, echoing up to my bedroom door, then...The door opened with a bang, and Killian walked in with a tense face. Without a word, he grabs my hand, gripping it roughly. "We're leaving now," he said coldly, his voice low but filled with a frightening haste."What happened?" I demanded, resisting his grip even though there was barely any strength in the resistance. "Don't ask too many questions," he said coldly as he dragged me out of the room, his steps quick, almost running.We walked down the creaking stairs through the narrow, dimly lit hallways. I tried to

  • A Touch of Madness   112

    Isabella POV.I couldn't sleep. I couldn't close my eyes completely. I stared at the scenery behind the glass. I was expecting something. To someone to come and get me. Sebastian. I wish Sebastian were here.I hug my belly tightly, holding my babies. My chest feels tight, my heart beating wildly in the silence of the night that feels so foreign. Outside, the waves were constantly crashing against the cliff, making a sound that somehow made my body tense up even more. Beyond the windowpane, I could only see the dark, endless sea with no sign of life. Only my own shadow was faintly reflected, looking so fragile in the middle of this cold room.I rubbed my stomach lightly, trying to give warmth to my two unborn babies, hoping they could feel my false calm. "Everything will be okay," I whispered almost silently, more to calm myself than for them. But, I knew I needed to reassure them and tell them their mother would fight.My heart refused to calm down, pounding like it was rebelling

  • A Touch of Madness   111

    The broken glass on the floor scattered like the shattered remnants of my hope with each passing minute without Isabella by my side. I stared at Marc and Diaz with a sharp look to make them tremble. My chest was beating hard, each beat full of anger and fear that couldn't be suppressed."Useless," I hissed, my voice hoarse and low. They both looked down, not daring to raise their heads.Marc tried to speak, his voice sounding weak, like a child caught in the act. "We've checked the small ports, contacted everyone who might know their whereabouts—""But it came up empty, didn't it?" I cut in, hitting the table so hard that Marc jerked back. "My wife is missing somewhere, and you guys can only stand here like fools!"I looked at Diaz, who gulped, his eyes troubled as he looked at me. But I didn't give him a chance. Every second without news of Isabella made my blood boil. To think that she might be trapped in the hands of a bastard like Killian... my mind was filled with images of a t

  • A Touch of Madness   110

    My head throbbed violently as the harsh sunlight pierced my eyelids. Heavily, I sat up, trying to understand where I was. Rough wooden walls and small windows with dull curtains emitted light all around me, making this room feel even more alien and rough. My heartbeat quickened, panic creeping up from my toes to my head. This was not a room on our private island, not a place I recognized. The walls were weathered, and the overpowering scent of sea salt pierced my nose, mixed with the damp, unfamiliar smell of wood.The memories swirl, fragment by fragment, starting to return, like pieces of a nightmare creeping in slowly.The silent night on the island, Killian's sudden grip, the thin, cold smile on his face, then the hallways of the house echoing with unfamiliar steps. My memory stops at the moment he pulls me towards the boat, waiting at the dock, as I struggle, trying to escape. But all my efforts were in vain. Killian's grip was like an iron shackle I couldn't break.I stood uns

  • A Touch of Madness   109

    "I'll be back tomorrow morning before you wake up." Sebastian's voice sounded lazy from our connected call. "I have so many things to take care of. I promise we'll have a good time once I'm done with all this. But I feel bad leaving you alone there."I chuckled softly. "Yeah, that's okay. There's Janet here. I don't feel alone."He chuckled on the other end of the line, his low laugh almost drowned out by the slightly crackling signal. "Yeah, my cousin with her... unique personality," he continued, his voice trying to sound serious but instead sounding full of warmth. "She'll probably set your whole life in pink if you let her. Just make sure she doesn't end up redecorating our house or... suggesting weird names for our baby."I smiled, imagining Janet, who could vigorously transform the house into a sea of pink, complete with flashy accessories. It was like relentless energy ready to fill every corner of the room, chasing away any loneliness I might feel while Sebastian was away. "T

  • A Touch of Madness   108

    "It looks like your Abuelo has other ambitions."Apparently, he seemed to welcome me not because I was his grandson's wife but because we had a son, and two more twins were about to come out to greet the world. It was like he welcomed a treasure and an asset rather than a great-grandchild. It made me wonder how Sebastian's father had grown up under pressure from his father and how Sebastian had grown up under pressure from his grandfather.I nestled comfortably on his chest. He sat on a lounge chair, his hands cradling my growing belly. In front of us is a beach and a vast ocean.It was a beautiful sight. Sebastian tightens his arms around me, his warmth contrasting with the sea breeze gently brushing against my skin. In front of the calm blue sea, I can feel everything, as well as the freedom that has been almost foreign since meeting his grandfather.Sebastian bowed his head, his lips touching my head gently. "I want our kids to have a choice," he whispers, his voice almost drowne

  • A Touch of Madness   107

    Silence hung in the air as Sebastian's grandfather folded his arms, his eyes never leaving my face. With a small gesture, he nodded as if encouraging himself to continue the conversation that, perhaps, he had planned for so long."And... what about your son? Ace? Your father told me that he is a cheerful and smart boy." His voice was low, but his tone was unmistakable. Demanding an answer, he turned to Sebastian and to me.I let out a small sigh, trying to keep my smile genuine as I replied, "Ace is a wonderful boy. Smart, full of energy, and very curious." Talking about my son in front of someone who looked so critical felt strange, but I didn't want to show any doubt.Sebastian, who had been standing quietly beside me, shifted slightly. His arm slowly wrapped around my waist, signaling he wouldn't let me face this alone."Oh, really?" he looked at us, alternating between me and Sebastian. A faint light in his eyes showed interest, albeit with skepticism. "He must meet me one day. I

  • A Touch of Madness   106

    The phone in my hand vibrated softly, displaying a name that instantly warmed my chest. Ace's face appeared on the screen with one touch, and his wide smile greeted me. His hair was a little messy, as usual, and his school uniform was already rumpled here and there. "Momma!" he exclaimed cheerfully. "I just got home from school!" Seeing his face is always like a breath of fresh air in the thick Mexico City air. I smiled softly, adjusting the position of my phone so I could see him better. "How was your day at school, baby?" Ace shrugged his little shoulders, his face glistening with childlike satisfaction. "Good! I learned about dinosaurs today. They're cool, Mom. I like T-Rex, but my friends say I look like a velociraptor." He chuckles, his cheeks slightly flushed with excitement. I chuckled softly my feelings had drifted to a lighter place with his laughter. "Oh? Velociraptor, huh? You're fast like them." "I'm smart too!" he added quickly, his face full of confidence. "

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